But it can also be a wonderland. Because without social media, I wouldn’t know so many amazing writers. I would have never spoken on stage at Margaret Atwood’s birthday. I would never get into a cold war of kale-related tweets with John Scalzi. I would never have gotten Lar deSouza to draw me on a wyvern with a jetpack:

Or me on the Jaws boat with Scott Lynch, Sam Sykes, and the aforementioned Scalzi:

I sometimes just wish for things on Twitter, and they happen. I say, that book looks neat, and then that book, which is months before publication, shows up at my door.

I know. This is supremely privileged. Not everybody can just shake Twitter and make cool stuff fall out, I do recognize this — but I’ve also seen it happen with so many others, too, whether it’s writers asking for critiques or when fans of authors get to meet and engage with those authors.

Which means that [REDACTED] has been revealed as not the PERFECT STRANGERS officially-sanctioned novelization that I’ve been talking about on Twitter (though one day I will write BALKI’S DAY OF BLOOD, you betcha), but rather revealed as:

I am writing the first (newly) canonical novel set after Return of the Jedi.

I cannot feel my legs, and I have been drunkenly pirouetting wildly around the house for months, making lightsaber sounds and forcing my four-year-old on a steady regimen of Star Warsy goodness. I am geeking out hardcore over here. I now join the ranks of my homie, Kevin Hearne (who by the way just made the NYT bestseller list with Heir to the Jedi).

The opening crawl for Aftermath, should you care (and I can say no more):

Journey to The Force Awakens.

The second Death Star is destroyed. The Emperor and his powerful enforcer, Darth Vader, are rumored to be dead. The Galactic Empire is in chaos.

Across the galaxy, some systems celebrate, while in others Imperial factions tighten their grip. Optimism and fear reign side by side.

And while the Rebel Alliance engages the fractured forces of the Empire, a lone Rebel scout uncovers a secret Imperial meeting. . . .

Ooh. Yay! Star Wars is one of my fandoms, so cool!
Kinda don’t see the reason why they had to wipe the rest of canon clean so much in order to do their new movies though. Ah well. I’m sure you’ll do a good job…

A few tips from a life long Star Wars fan:
1. Describe every characters hairstyle–wookies and ewoks included–as feathered
2. Make the dialogue painfully unnatural
3. Describe every Empire created monstrosity of technology–no matter how formidable–as having a thermal exhaust port leading to its core, only large enough for a single photon torpedo, preferably fired by a plucky young Jedi with what kind of hairdo? See number 1.

Let me echo your silent geeky screams (The Force is Strong in this one!). Besides, every 4 year old should be on a steady diet of Star Warsy Goodness (Aren’t you a little short for a stormtrooper?). I remember that tweet and thought, if anyone can make this happen, it’s Herr Wendig. There is a certain power of social media. It certainly is a Force that can be used for Jedi or Sith alike. You, sir, are clearly a Jedi Master.

I have read a lot of the novels, Chuck. And I mean A LOT. While I am sad to see all the previous EU pass into “Legends” status (a nice way of saying ‘irrelevant’), I am happy with the new direction and cohesion they are going for with the new canon. I am excited to see you get such a big opportunity here.

Heartfelt congratulations! Must feel like a dream come true. I was a teenager when the The Jedi Strikes Back came out, (I worked in a theatre with some of the first Yoda imitators/parking attendants.) We actually got to see it so many times I think I knew it by heart. Blues Brothers, too! My first job. I have a fondness for Star Wars. I grew up with it.

I am super excited to read this! I’ve been a Star Wars fan for a long time, since Timothy Zahn basically kicked off the EU. I haven’t liked some of the recent stuff, but having just read my first book by you, I’m hoping for good stuff!

[…] and age groups and fills in the gaps between Return of the Jedi and the upcoming The Force Awakens. Including Chuck Wendig! — Details on the first standalone Star Wars movie including the title “Rogue […]